1. A broad overview of the key issues surrounding Higher Education
Challenging Minds.
A broad overview of the key issues surrounding Higher Education
Chris Fuller 23 April 2009

2. Applying for Higher Education
Applications
Admissions
Finding the best institution for your son/daughter
Strengthening the application
HE Finances
Talk covers 6 key areas of Higher Education (HE).

3. Applications.

4. University Applications
% of eligible 18 – 30 year olds in HE
2010 target
50%
2007 – 44%
There is considerably more competition for university places now than there was 20 years ago. This is linked to the governments decision to upskill our workforce. 20 years ago there were 3.6m unskilled or low skilled jobs, now there are approx 1.2m. By 2020 the government predicts as few as 600,000 such jobs.
1980 – 20%
Year

5. One of 16 UK universities to be rated in the World Top 100
League Tables are a great way to find out a wide variety of information about universities. As with all league tables they should be taken with a pinch of salt, but they are useful tools.

6. Reputation of the University and Course
Sunday Times League Table 2009
Google Sunday times, Times, Guardian etc.

7. Reputation of the University and Course

8. One of 16 UK universities to be rated in the World Top 100
Ranked 12th in Times Online League Table

9. Competition for Places (2007-8)
Medicine – 206 places (17 applicants per place)
Law – 155 places (10)
Psychology – 150 places (10)
Physiotherapy – 35 places (17)
Mathematics – 150 places (8)
Geophysics – 15 places (5)
Criminology – 30 places (8)
Computer Science – 80 places (10)
As a top institution, application numbers and competition for places at the UoS can give a good impression of how some courses are much more competitive than others, but all are tough. Also note how some courses have many more places available.

10. Admissions.

11. University & College Admission Service
Huge choice. Encourage your son/daughter to begin researching course choices as soon as possible as there is a huge range. There will be the perfect course to fit both their interests and predicted grades.
There are over 50,000 courses and 325 HE institutions to choose from…

12. Click on Course Search

13. Law
Enter the title of any course or subject are that interests. It does not have to be an academic subject e.g. typing ‘pig’ will bring up related courses!

14. Law at the University of Southampton is a good example of a very tough, competitive course.

15. Check the required qualifications
Entry Requirements
Look at the Entry Profile to find out more about the entry requirements.
Check the required qualifications

16. Finding the best institution for your son/daughter.

17. Civil Engineering
There are hundreds if not thousands of choices of the same or at least similar courses.

18. Strengthening the Application.

19. What Admissions Tutors Look For?
A rounded picture to show that you are a suitable candidate for the university both academically and socially
Reasons for choosing the course
Enthusiasm for your subject
Subject specific skills
Any work experience, placement or voluntary work
Career plans
Motivation and commitment
Gap year plans
Admissions tutors are looking for a mix of academic ability and social development to make sure students will fit in and enjoy university life.
Extra-curricular hobbies and interests
Why you? What can you offer?
Transferable skills

20. Development of Transferable Skills
Presenting
Communication
Time management
Development of Transferable Skills
Response to a challenge
Response to a challenge
IT skills
Team work
Enthusiasm
Initiative
Decision making
Stamina
Research Skills
Analytical
Problem solving
Independent thinking
Leadership

21. HE Finance.
Use divider pages to break up your presentation into logical sections and to provide a visual break for the viewer. The title can be one or two lines long.

22. Student finances can be sorted into two categories:
Overview of Finances
Student finances can be sorted into two categories:
OUTGOINGS
Tuition Fees
Accommodation
Living costs
Resources
INCOME
Fees Loan
Student Loan
Maintenance Grant
Bursaries
Scholarships
Wages
Parental support

23. £3,225 per year Tuition Fees UK and EU students
Do not have to be paid prior to study
All students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan

24. Tuition Fee Loan Non-Means Tested Paid directly to the University
Low interest rate, set at rate of inflation
Repayable after graduation and when earning at least £15,000
9% repayment of your annual income

25. Maintenance Grants – non repayable
Income over £50,021:
n/a
No maintenance grant payable
£1,292 to £50
Income between £34,459 and £50,020:
Receive some grant
£2,824 to £1,292
Income between £25,001 and £34,459:
Receive some grant
Income up to £25,000:
£2,906
Receive full grant

26. Maintenance Loan Available to home students
Paid into student bank account in three instalments
Maximum 2009/10 loan rates
London
Parental home
Elsewhere
£6,928*
£3,838
£4,950
The bottom sums in the table is the maximum amount that a student is entitled to if they do not qualify for any of the 28% income assessed money.
£4,988
£2,763
£3,564
Amount of Maintenance Loan received is dependant on:
Maintenance Grant received
Household income (28% is income assessed)

27. Scholarships Bursaries
Each University, course and/or Academic School offers their own scholarship. Check University websites to find out more.
Bursaries
Check with individual universities about these funds.
Additional non-repayable sums of money granted by the University. Dependent upon personal circumstances e.g. UoS pays bursaries to students from households with an income under £35,000, as well as the Hampshire and Isle of Wight bursary.

28. Repayment in real terms
Average graduate salary = £20,000
Monthly repayment = £37.50
10-15 years to repay
Graduates can take up to 5 years worth of loan breaks
Interest linked to inflation
After 25 years, all debt is wiped clean